IKEA has recently recalled 7,500 units of the Metallisk Moka pots it has been selling for $20 each after it received several reports of the coffee makers exploding while in use. The explosions led to several injuries, including “burns, scald injuries, and hearing damage.”
In its announcement, IKEA urged those who bought Metallisk Moka pots to “immediately stop use and return it to any IKEA store for a full refund or by mail using a prepaid label. Proof of purchase (receipt) is not required.”
In the U.S, IKEA sold around 2,100 Metallisk Expresso Makers, available for purchase between September 2020 and January 2022. More than 5,000 units were also sold in Canada, while 200 were sold in Mexico.
The recall specifically affected IKEA Metallisk Espresso Makers that feature a stainless steel safety valve. Each of these Moka pots is marked with a date stamp from 2040 to 2204 in the (YYWW) format, indicating the year and week of manufacturing. The date stamp is located at the bottom of the Moka pot along with the IKEA logo.
IKEA’s recall is aimed at the Metallisk Moka pots sold in Canada, the USA and Mexico. Official recall announcements can be read on the websites of appropriate bodies in charge of product safety. Customers in the U.S. can refer to this link, buyers in Canada can read this recall report, and Mexican clients have this resource at their disposal.
IKEA stated regret over the incident and has already publicly apologised. The company also thanked the owners of the faulty Moka pots for their cooperation.
In June 2022, IKEA also recalled its Metallisk espresso maker in Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, “due to an increased risk of the product bursting when it is used.” The affected espresso makers have date stamps between 2040 and 2204 and stainless safety valves, which are silver or grey.
Named after the Yemeni city of Mocha, the Moka pot is a stove-top or electric coffee maker that brews coffee by passing boiling water, pressurised by steam, through ground coffee. It was created by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and was soon recognised as an integral part of Italian culture.
Photo from REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
